Steam, air, and water trap valve.



F. W. LEUTHESSER.

STEAM, AIR, AND WATER TRAP VALVE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 30, 1913 1,102,768, Patented July 7, 1914;

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rHE AORRJS PETERS 60., PHOTU-LITHQ, WASHINGTGN c4 F. W. LEUTHESSER. STEAM, AIR, AND WATER- TRAP VALVE. A'PPLIOATION FILED JULY so, 1913.

1,102,768. Patented July 7,1914. l

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THE NORRIS PETERS CO:I PHOTO-LITHO WASHINUYON. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED W. LEUTI-IESSER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

STEAM, AIR, AND \VATER TRAP VALVE.

float for controlling the discharge of the water of condensation; and the invention belongs to the special type of float valves or traps which permit the air to vent and the water of condensation to discharge, without allowing the escape of but little, if any, of the steam.

It has been found in practice that return line valves or traps must be noiseless in operation for steam heating systems installed in public halls and buildings, as otherwise, more or less annoyance or dis comfort arises from the noise produced either by a faulty construction of, or an imperfect operation of the valves or traps, or other cause. Return line valves or traps are noise producers for two main causes: the contact of the float or some part carried thereby with the surrounding shell or casing, which results in a constant clicking sound that is annoying and nerve racking, or the failure of the float to rise and fall properly for opening and closing the dis charge port or passage, thereby failing to relieve the heating unit of the water of condensation and the air, thus causing a hammering in the heating unit, which is exceedingly annoying and disagreeable.

In the present invention the difliculty is eliminated by prox' iding a horizontal cross plate, partition or diaphragm, dividing the interior or chamber of the shell or easing into an upper and lower compartment, the upper compartment to serve as a float chamber and the lower compartment to serve as a water receiving and dischar ing compartment, enabling a lower or bottom inlet for the water of condensation to be utilized, without any ill etliects from the flow of the water into and out of the float chamber.

The objects of the present invention are to construct a valve or trap for the return line of steam heating systems that will be of simple construction, perfect in operation, operate in a noiseless manner, vent the air Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 30, 1913.

Patented July *7, 1914.

Serial No. 782,080.

and discharge the water of condensation automatically, and prevent the escape of steam in a wasteful manner; and which can be readily taken apart for cleaning and repairs; and will not become easily clogged; will discharge without creating any agitation of the water of condensation around the float that would interfere with or impair the movements of the float; will furnish a body of till water in which the float is free to rise and fall as the water rises and falls around the float;.will prevent any sudden ,inrush of water against the float; will cause the water to have a gentle, gradual upward and downward flow around the float, which will give the float a steady and uniform rising and falling movement, by which hammering in the heating unit and any sound producing contact or click of the float with the surrounding metal parts will be obviated and overcome to an extent that will not render the operation of the valve or trap annoying and objectionable.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a return line valve or trap embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 a similar view of Fig. 1, showing a modified form of the lower water receiving and discharging chamber, and showing also a modified form of the horizontal cross-plate, separating the upper and lower compartments of the valve or trap; Fig. 3 a plan view of the horizontal cross-plate, of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 a plan view of the horizontal cross-plate, of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 a plan view of a modified form of horizontal cross-plate, and Fig. 6 a plan view of another modified form of horizontal cross-plate.

Th valve or trap as shown has an outer shell or casing 13, with a lateral neck 14, adjacent to its lower end. The neck 14: has an exterior screw thread to receive a coupling nut 15, having an inner end flange or rim 1G to engage a flange or rib 17 on the exterior of a nipple or tailpiece 18, with an axial or longitudinal passage 19, for the nut 15 and nipple 18 to form a coupling for attaching the valve or trap to the radiator or other heating unit or device, and the passage 19 to furnish one section of an inlet for the Water 01. condensation to enter the valve or trap. The bottom wall 20 of the shell or casing 13, in the arrangement shown, has a depending neck 21 with a hole 22 forming the outlet for the trap or valve; and as shown the hole 22 is screw threaded I, line with the wall of the shell or casing,

which wall or abutment," in the arrangement of Fig. 1, extends across the longitudinal path of the inlet 23, and in the arrangement of Fig. 2 extends around in the plane of the wall of the shell or casing. This wall or abutment 24 in conjunction with the inlet 23 forms a species of goose-neck trap, which, when the water of condensation rises above the lower edge of the'wall or abutment 24,

furnishes a stoppage or dam against the passage of steam to any appreciable. extent into the interior of the outer shell or casing.

The inlet 23 leads or opens into a lower compartment or chamber 25, at the bottom of the interior of the outer shell or casing, and constitutes a water receiving and discharging chamber, above which is an upper compartment or chamber 26, constituting a float chamber. The. compartment or chamber 25, as shown in Fig. 1, is substantiallyof the same diameter as that of the compartment or chamber 26, while as shown in Fig. 2, the lower portion of the wallof the shell or casing 13 is outflared soas to form an extension 25 of the compartment or chamber 25, giving an increased capacity for the compartment or chamber 25 and furnishing an air space that will assist in the discharge of the water quickly, and at the same time providing a safeguard against any sudden rush of water from entering the float chamber too rapidly or in a manner to affect the float in its operation.

The lower compartment and the uppercompartment are separated one from the other by the horizontal cross-plate, 27, so constructed as to allow the water of condensation to-flow from the lower receiving and discharging chamber into the upper float chamber, when the discharge valve is closed and to flow from the upper float chamber into the lower receiving and discharging chamber for final discharge when the discharge valve is open. The flow into, and the flow out of, the upper float chamber must be quiet and gentle, and for this purpose the horizontal cross-plate, must be constructed. so as to furnish communication between the lower compartment 25 and the upper compartment 26 that will permit a flow of waterback and forth between the two compartments without any'agitation of the water in the upper compartment, maintaining astill body of water in the upper compartment and giving the float a gentle rising and falling movement.

The horizontal cross-plate, in one formof construction is shown in Figs. 1 and 3; an other modlfied "form of construction is shown in Flgs. 2 and 1, other modified 'forms of construction are shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and other forms can be utillzed, pro- 'vidmg the constructions are such as to furnish a horizontal separation and a free communication between the two compartments or chambers by which a still body of water will be maintained in the upper compartment or float chamber and water 'willbe supplied to and discharged from the float chamber in such a manner as to give a gentle and quiet rising and falling movement to *the float.

The horizontal cross-plate 27 of Figs. 1 and 3 has a large central hole 28 and a series of openings 29, and extending partly over each opening is a deflecting tongue or lip 30, each tongue having an upward and ,ries of small holes 29 adjacent to the periphery thereof, so that water passing through the series of holes 29? will notcontact with and impinge against the bottom of the float. The cross-plate, 27 of Figs. 2 and 14: has the central hole 28 and has'a diameter less than the diameter of the upper compart inent so as to leave a space 29 between the edge of the cross-plate, for water to flow into and out from the upper compartment without directly contacting with or impinging against the bottom of the float. The crossplate, 27 of Fig. 6 has the hole 28 and a series of notches or openings 29 in the peripheral edge, which allow water to flow into and out from the upper compartment or chamber out of direct contact with or impingement against the bottom of the float. ilt is preferred to have the communication, between the upper compartment or chamber and the lower compartment or chamber so arranged asnot to have the water actor impinge direct against the bottom of the float, but such communication whether by holes, or perforation, or a space, or otherwise could be arranged more or less underneath the bottom of the float, if so desired.

7 The cross-plate, 27, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, rests on or is supported at its periphery on a ledge 01' flange 31, inwardly projecting from the wall of the outershell pr casing, and as shown in Figs. 2 and 4,

is unsupported at its periphery. A plug 32 is entered into the hole 28 of the cross-plate 27 and has a shoulder 33 against which the plate, abuts. A ring nut 34 threads on the plug 32 and holds the cross-plate, attached and carried by the plug. The lower end 35 of the plug 32 is screw threaded and entered into a screw threaded hole in the bottom wall 20 of the outer shell or casing, so that when the plug 32 is entered into position, the cross-plate, is properly located to divide the lower compartment or chamber 25 from the upper compartment or chamber 26, and to also enable the cross-plate, to be easily removed for cleaning or other purposes, it only being necessary to unscrew the plug 32 from its connection with the bottom wall 20, which permits the plug, and with it the cross-plate, to be withdrawn through the upper end of the shell or casing.

The plug 32 is formed with lateral or sid ports or passages 36, which ports or passages are located at a point adjacent the floor of the casing and in communication with these passages 36 is a vertical port or passage 37, extending through the end of the plug and opening into the hole 22 of the neck 21, for the passages 36 and passage 37 to form an outlet from the lower compartment 25, by,

which the water of condensation in such compartment will be discharged therefrom and be partially discharged from the upper compartment 26, when the passage 36 is open to permit the water of condensation to escape from the lower chamber.

A float 38 is located and operates in the upper compartment 26 and, owing to the stilly body of water maintained in this compartment, the float 38 at all times has a gentle rising and falling movement given thereto by the gradual rise and fall of the water in the said upper compartment 26, thus insuring practically a noiseless operation of the valve or trap so far as concerns the float. The upper end of the float 38 has attached thereto a guide pin or stem 39, with an axial passage 40 therethrough, and, as shown, this guide pin'is attached to the float by threading its lower end into a block or nut 41 attached to the inner face of the float, but can be otherwise attached to the float. The passage 40 furnishes communication between the upper compartment 26 and the interior of the float, by which air can vent from the compartment 26 into the interior of the float 38 to be discharged therefrom.

The lower end of the float 38 has attached thereto a guide pin or stem 42, with an axial passage 43 therethrough, which passage 43 is, as shown, of larger diameter than the passage 40 of the guide pin or stem 39 to insure a free discharge of air from the interior of the float. The guide pin 42 is attached to the float by threading its upper end into a block or nut 44 attached to the inner face of the float, but can be otherwise attached. The guide pin 42 enters and is free to move up and down in a hole or guide-way extending into the plug 32 and terminating at the lower edge of the passages 36, in the arrangement shown; and the lower end of the guide pin 42 has a seating face 46 to coact with a seating face 47 around the upper end of the passage 37, so that the guide pin 42 serves as a valve for controlling the outlet from the compartment 25, by opening and closing the passages 36 to allow water to discharge from the compartment 25 and to shut off the outflow of water from such compartment, in the operation of the valve or trap.

The upper end of the shell or casing 13 is closed by a cap 48 having a depending flange 49 with an exterior screw thread, which threads into the end of the outer shell or casing and having also a peripheral or lateral flange 50 which, when the cap is in place, abuts closely against the outer edge of the shell or casing. A plug 51 having a threaded end 52 is entered into the cap 48, in the construction shown, and has a hole or guideway 53 to receive the upper guide pin 39 of the float 38, so that the float isfree to play up and down and is guided and held in its movements by the upper guide pin 39 moving in the hole 53 and the valve pin 42 moving in the hole 45.

The valve or trap of the present invention is readilyand quickly assembled, it only being necessary to thread the plug 32, with the cross-plate 27 attached thereto, into the bottom wall 20, thus dividing the interior of the shell or casing into communicatin u) aer and lower com Jartments then enter the float 38 into the upper compartment with the guide and valve pin or stem '42 in the hole 45, and finally threading the closing cap 48, with the plug 51 in place, into the upper end of the shell or casing, for the upper guide pin'39 to enter the hole 53, thus completing the assembling of the valve or trap. The coupling nut 15 and nipple or tail piece 1.8 can then be attached to the neck 14, completing the valve or trap ready for use.v

In use the valve or trap is attached to the radiator orother heating unit by unscrewing the coupling nut 15 and threading the coupling nipple 18 into the radiator or heatunit, attached to the return pipe or other discharging means by the threaded hole 22 of the neck 21. The water of condensation accumulating in the radiator or heating unit flows out therefrom through the passage 19 of the coupling nipple or tail piece 18, and is conducted by the passage 23 into the lower compartment or chamber 25 in which it rises and enters the upper compartment, passing from below to above float chamber, is attained by the cross-plate,

the horizontal cross-plate, 27, either through the holes or perforations, or around the pe' ripheral edge of the plate, and gradually rises in the upper compartment 26, until it reaches the floating point for the float, when the float will rise unseating the valve pin 42 and opening the outlet or discharge ports 36 and-'87 for water to escape or discharge from the lower compartment through the outlet or discharge ports and allowing water to pass back from the upper compartment 26 intothe lower compartment 25, and such outflow ordownflow of the water in the compartment 26 will be gradual, allowing the float to descend and through the valve pin 42 close the outlet or discharge ports 36 and 37 and stonin the dischar e of the water from the compartment 25.

It is to be noted that the eflective and positive" operation of the float, under practically the same riseand fall of the water in the which holds the water back against any sudden and rapid inflow into the float chamber and likewise prevents any rapid and forcible outflow from the float chamber. It is also to be noted that the sole discharge for the water of condensation is from the lower water receiving anddischarging chambeigand that the outflow from the float chamber isin the nature of a drain ofl into the water discharging. from the water receiving and d scharging chamber and is not a direct dis-' charge through the discharge ports of the discharge plug from the float chamber. It

' is further to be noted that the valve or trap" is not wasteful of steam, as the water in the inlet and the lower compartment "furnishes a dam against the ready passage of steam,

and any steam passing the dam will be diffused by its passage above the cross-plate, and will be still further condensed, and diffusedin its passage through the water in the upper compartment, with the result that but 'little,.it', any, steam will enter the interior of the float through the upper guide pin, leaving thefloat perfectly free and clear to discharge the air. It is further to be noted that the valve or trap can be easily and quickly cleaned from any accui'nulation of oil, dirt or sediment in the water receiving and discha ng chamber, it only being necessary to remove the float and blow off the oil, dirtand sediment through the discharge passage in the plug, and such operation is facilitated by locating the lateral-passage near the in ner face of the bottom wall of the shell or casing, and after the trap or valve has been blown out, the float can be replaced and the valve or trap is again ready for use. The

construction dispenses with the employment oi' any by-pass and valvefor cleaning pur- SSS-GS. .lfiurthermore the Oil, dirt and sediment will remain in the lower compartment and not pass to any great extent into the 7 upper compartment, and adhere to the float and wall of the upper compartment with the I theinterior of the casing into an upper compartment and a lower compartment and formed to provide a communicating passage between said compartments for the water of condensation, a float in the upper compartmerit, a valve carried by the float and controlling the outlet, and the walls'of said body portion continuing intof-said base portion and forming a weir surrounding said dividing member, and means for venting air from the casing, substantially as described.

2. in the valve of the class described, the combination of shell or casing consisting of a chambered body portion merging into an enlarged chambered base portion, an in let and an outle't for the water ofcondensation formed in the, base portion, means'for dividing'the interior of the easing into an upper compartment and a lower compartment, said means being formed to provide a communicating passage between said'compartmer'its for the water of condensation, a floatin the upper compartment, a'valve carried by the float and controlling the flow of water from the interior of said casing to the outlet, and a depending wall in the interior of'said base portion forming a weir surrounding th'edividing means, that portion of the base chamber lying above the lower edge of said weirco'nstituting an air chamber within said base portion, substantially as described.

Q8. In a valve ofthe class described, the combination of a shell or casing consisting of a chambered body portion'merging into a chambered base portion, the chamber of said base portionbeing of greater width than the chamber of the body portion, means dividing the interior of the casing structure into an upper compartment and a lower compartment, said means being formed to provide a communicating passage between said compartments for-water of condensation,a float in the upper compartment, an inlet and an outlet for the water of condensation in the lower compartment, a valve carried by the float and controlling communication between the interior of the casing structure and the outlet, a weir depending in the chamber of the base portion and spaced away from theside walls thereof, that por- 'tion of the chamber of the base portion 1ying above the weir constituting an air chamber and the point of communication between the chamber of the base portion, and the outlet being approximately flush with the floor line of the base portion, substantially as deseribed.

t. In a valve of the class described, the combination of a shell or casing having an inlet and an outlet for water of condensation, a horizontal cross plate dividing'the interior of the shell or easing into an upper compartment and a lower compartment, a float within the upper compartment, said plate being adapted to furnish a direct vertical communicating passage between the two compartments and having a line of communication in a plane outside of a vertical plane coincident with the exterior of the float within the upper compartment to prevent direct impact of the water against the bottom of said float, the inlet of the shell or casing opening into the lower compartment, a plug having a water discharge passage opening direct into the lower compartment and controlled by the rise and fall of the float in the upper compartment, and means for venting air from the casing, substantially as described.

5. In a valve of the class described, the combination of a shell or casing having an inlet and an outlet for water of condensation, a horizontal cross plate dividing the interior of the shell or easing into an upper compartment and a lower compartment, a float within the upper compartment, said plate presenting an imperforate body below the bottom of the float and having a configuration :turnishing a direct vertical passage of communication between the two compartments in a plane outside of a vertical plane coincident with the exterior of the float, said communicating passage constituting a passage for water of condensation between the compartments for water to enter the upper compartment without direct impact against the bottom of the float, said casing being provided with a water discharge passage communicating with the outlet for the water of condensation and with the lower compartment of the shell or casing, said passage being controlled by the rise and fall of the float in the upper COIIl partment, and means for venting air from the casing, substantially as described.

6. In a valve of the class described, the combination of a shell or casing having an inlet and an outlet for water of condensation, a horizontal cross plate dividing the interior of the shell or easing into an upper compartment and a lower compartment, a float within the upper compartment, said plate having a notched outer edge providing a direct vertical passage for water of condensation between the upper compartment and lower compartment, said passage being located in a plane outside of a vertical plane coincident with the exterior of the float, and said plate presenting an imperforate body below the float, said casingbeing provided with a water, discharge passage and communicating with the outlet for the water of condensation and with the lower compartment of the casing, said passage being controlled by the rise and fall of the float. in the upper compartment, and means for venting air from the casing, substantially as described.

7. In a valve of the class described, the combination of a shell or casing having an inlet and an outlet for water of condensation, said outlet being located approximately flush with the lowermost floor line of the casing, a cross plate dividing the interior of the easing into an upper compartment and a lower compartment, a float within the up per compartment, said cross plate being formed to provide a direct vertical communicating passage between the upper and lower compartments, said passage being located in a plane outside of a vertical plane coincident with the exterior of the float, a valve carried by the float and directly controlling said outlet, and means for venting air from the casing, substantially as described. I

8. In a valve of the class described, the combination of a shell or casing consisting of a chambered body portion having an inlet and an outlet for water of condensation formed in the base portion thereof, a horizontal plate dividing the chamber of the easing into an upper compartment and a lower compartment, said plate being formed to provide a communicating passage between said compartments for water of condensation, a float in the upper compartment, a valve carried by the float and controlling the passage of water from the interior of the casing into the outlet, and a depending wall in the plane of the body wall extending into the base portion of the shell or casing and forming a surrounding weir for the lower compartment of the casing, substantially as described.

9. In a valve of the class described, the combination of a shell or casing having an inlet and an outlet for water of condensation, a horizontal cross plate dividing the interior of the shell or casing into an upper compartment and a lower compartment, the lower compartment being in communication with the inlet and the outlet, a float located in the upper compartment and of a.

less cross area than the cross area of the upper compartment leaving a water space surrounding the float, said cross plate having a formation and arrangement furnishing adjacent to its periphery a direct vertical passage for water between the two compartments, such water passage being located in line With the water space surrounding the Water discharge passage being controlled by 10 body ofthe float with the body of the cross the rise and fall of the float, and means for plate imperfomte inside of the Water pas: venting air from the casing, substantially as sagefltnd protecting the bottom of the float described. 7

1 against direct impact from the inflowing 1 I F E W LEUTHESSER Water, said easing being provided with e water discharge passage in communication Witnesses:

with the outlet for the Water of condensel/VM. BOND,

tion and with the lower compartment, said EPHBAIM BANNING.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five centsieaoh, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Weshington, D. O. o 

